Police hunting gunman out in force in forest (From Daily Echo)
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Police hunting New Forest gunman out in force in Brockenhurst
10:27am Wednesday 9th January 2013 in New Forest
By Jenny Makin, Crime Reporter
An artist's impression of the gunman in the New Forest
RAIL passengers were this morning confronted with a striking image of a gunman being hunted by detectives as it was beamed across a station wall.
Hundreds of commuters and passers-by at Brockenhurst railway station were being spoken to by a team of 25 police who were revisiting the spot where the armed robber first struck five weeks ago today.
Drivers passing by the station were also being asked to think back about whether they saw anything suspicious and there was also a police presence on the Sway Road where the gunman dumped the Porsche he had hijacked.
The artist's sketch, drawn up with the help of the victim, was projected onto buildings at the station in the hope that someone would recognise his face.
It was around 6.30am on Wednesday December 5 that the gunman appeared from the shadows opposite the station and pointed the firearm at a driver who had just parked up in his Porsche.
He ordered him back into the passenger seat of the vehicle before he got in and drove off around the area, before eventually taking his hostage to the HSBC bank in the town.
After receiving several hundred pounds in cash he then drove the victim to a remote car park and left him there, before driving towards Sway and leaving both the car and its keys near a railway bridge.
Nine days later he struck again, this time at the home of a couple in Rookes Lane, Lymington, where he walked up their driveway dressed in a fluorescent top and wearing goggles.
He again pointed the gun to the head of the 64-year-old woman, assaulted her husband as he tried to call police and eventually took the woman hostage as he drove frantically around the area trying to decide what to do next.
Det Sgt Richard Selwood, from Hampshire's major investigation team, said: "We have spent two hours speaking to commuters in the hope that somebody will remember vital information that could lead us to the gunman.
"The response was very good and it is clear we have the support of the local community in our bid to catch this man."
Police have since released a taped recording of the gunman who was heard speaking in the background of a 999 call and believe his distinctive voice will be recognised by someone living locally.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Op Prenton team on 101.
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